LAX ENDS 2019 WITH RECORD-SETTING 88.1 MILLION GUESTS

02/03/2020 11:00 AM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 3, 2020

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LAX Public Relations
(424) 646-5260
LAX ENDS 2019 WITH RECORD-SETTING 88.1 MILLION GUESTS
Passenger traffic continues six-year growth trend amid modernization
of America's second-busiest airport

(Los Angeles, CA) Driven by continued increasing demand for domestic service, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) once again set a new all-time record for passenger traffic in 2019 with nearly 88.1 million travelers.

"Los Angeles is a global crossroads — a city known the world over as a creative capital, a hub for commerce, and a leading tourist destination," said Mayor Eric Garcetti. "Another year of record passenger traffic at LAX is the latest milestone in our work to bring Los Angeles to the world and the world to Los Angeles."


The passenger total at LAX is an increase of 0.62 percent over 2018, topping the previous record of 87.5 million travelers. While the number of international passengers was down 1.37 percent from 2018, a difference of approximately 350,000, the number of domestic passengers grew by 1.45 percent, or nearly 900,000.

"LAX’s multibillion-dollar modernization investment and terminal upgrades are beginning to bear fruit. Today’s airline passenger has many choices, and with scores of popular domestic and international routes and highly competitive fares, LAX continues to lead the way as the world's top origination and destination airport," said Sean Burton, President, Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners. "In 2020, the airport will continue its role as a critical driver of the local economy, generating hundreds of thousands of high paying jobs while keeping Southern California connected to the world."

 

"Los Angeles World Airports is grateful to all of our guests who have chosen to fly to or from LAX this past year, contributing to another record-setting year in passenger numbers," said Justin Erbacci, interim Chief Executive Officer, LAWA. "As we modernize LAX for the next generation of air travelers, we will continue to develop new routes and airline partnerships, while remaining focused on enhancing the passenger experience and upholding our vision of gold-standard airports."


For 2019, the total passenger count at LAX was 88,068,013. That total comprises 62,371,691 domestic passengers (versus 61,479,610 in 2018) and 25,696,322 international passengers (versus 26,053,567 in 2018). While the number of international travelers dipped in 2019 for the first time since 2009, last year’s total is 3.4 percent higher than the 24,829,363 international passengers who traveled through LAX in 2017. Domestic passengers accounted for 70 percent of the total traffic in 2019, with international passengers at 30 percent.

Some of the highlights of 2019 at LAX include the addition of first-ever nonstop service in two European markets, Helsinki International Airport (HEL) on Finnair and Milan's Malpensa International Airport (MXP) on Air Italy. LAX is one of only five U.S. airports with nonstop service to/from Helsinki. Meanwhile, LAX is one of only four U.S. airports with nonstop service to/from Milan, with the route running during the summer (April-October) season.

China Airlines continues to restore its seat capacity between LAX and Taipei (TPE), adding back three weekly flights in November to raise the number to 10 departures/arrivals per week.

The most popular international destinations from LAX in 2019 were Guadalajara, Mexico (885,882 passengers), London-Heathrow (757,855) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (687,985).

After three decades, nonstop service to and from Stockton, Calif., returned via United Airlines in 2019 with twice-daily regional jet service. Stockton is United's 12th California market service nonstop from LAX, and intra-California service is now provided to 17 markets on nine airlines, including American, Delta, Boutique Air, Southern, Alaska, Spirit, Southwest and Mokulele.

The $14.3 billion modernization program at LAX took big steps forward in 2019, with construction starting on several major projects, including an Automated People Mover (APM) train, Consolidated Rent-A-Car (ConRAC) facility and the Intermodal Transportation Facility-West (ITF-West), which will include a 4,300-space parking structure.

In 2020, the $2 billion Midfield Satellite Concourse will open, while work is expected to wrap up on Terminal 1.5, a $490 million connector between Terminals 1 and 2 that will include space for additional ticketing counters, baggage carousels, a bus port and a security screening checkpoint.

About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

LAX, the fourth-busiest airport in the world and second busiest in the United States, was named a top-10 U.S. airport by SKYTRAX. LAX served nearly 88.1 million passengers in 2019 and offers an average of nearly 700 daily nonstop flights to 113 destinations in 42 states in the U.S., and 1,200 weekly nonstop flights to 91 markets in 46 countries on 72 commercial airlines. LAX handled 691,257 operations (landings and takeoffs) in 2019.  


LAX generated 620,600 jobs in Southern California, with labor income of $37.3 billion and economic output (business revenues) of more than $126.6 billion, according to an economic study based on 2014 operations. This activity added $6.2 billion to local and state revenues and $8.7 billion in federal tax revenues. The study also reported that LAX’s ongoing capital improvement program creates an additional 121,640 annual jobs with labor income of $7.6 billion and economic output of $20.3 billion; $966 million in state and local taxes; and $1.6 billion in federal tax revenues.

 

LAX was honored as having the “Best Overall Customer Service Program” by Airports Council International-North America; named the “Best Airport for Breastfeeding Moms” by Mamava; selected for the Top 10 “Best of the U.S.’s Big Airports” (Wall Street Journal) and “Most Pet-Friendly Airports in the U.S. (Mental Floss); named the second-most improved airport in the U.S. by JD Power; received an “Innovation Award” from the L.A. Better Business Challenge for its Central Utility Plant; and named  a “Business Leader in Air Quality” by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

LAX is also the second-most popular airport in the world to appear on Instagram, according to wego.com. LAX is part of a system of two Southern California airports – along with Van Nuys general aviation – that are owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles that receives no funding from the City’s general fund.   


As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities.  Alternative formats in large print, braille, audio, and other forms (if possible) will be provided upon request. 

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